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88-year-old Kansas crossing guard dies after pushing children out of car's path

Bob Nill, 88, died from his injuries

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Updated: 7:37 AM PST Feb 19, 2020

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THERE ARE FLOWERS AND BALLOONS TO PAY TRIBUTE -- BLOOMS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO WHAT HE DID. AT NORTH 54TH AND LEAVENWORTH ROAD, CROSSING GUARD BOB NILL HELPED ELEMENTARY CHILDREN MAKE IT SAFELY EACH DAY TO CHRIST THE KING PARISH SCHOOL. HE LEFT RETIREMENT SO HE COULD GIVE BACK. >> HE LOVED THE CHILDREN. THE CHILDREN LOVED HIM. THEY CALLED HIM MR. BOB. BRIAN: PRINCIPAL CATHY FITHIAN SAYS IN HIS FIVE YEARS AS A GUARD, THE 88-YEAR-OLD CREATED A SPECIAL BOND WITH STUDENTS. >> ON FRIDAY WHEN HE WENT HOME, HE HAD A LOT OF VALENTINE’S FROM THE KIDS, GIFTS AND CARDS AND HE JUST WENT ON AND ON ABOUT THE GIFTS. HIS SON KNEW THAT HE LOVED IT HERE AND THE KIDS LOVED HIM. BRIAN: TUESDAY JUST BEFORE 8:00 A.M., A BLACK SEDAN WAS HEADING EAST. NILL KEPT KIDS FROM HARM’S WAY. >> HE STOPPED THEM AND THEY LISTENED THANK GOD. AND THEN HE OF COURSE WAS THE VICTIM. BRIAN: THERE’S A FIRE STATION LESS THAN A BLOCK AWAY, BUT NILL DIED FROM HIS INJURIES. NEIGHBORS SAY HE WAS CORDIAL, ACTIVE AND FRIENDLY. >> HE’S ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS I’VE EVER MET. ESPECIALLY IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. BRIAN: THE SCHOOL AND ITS COMMUNITY CAN’T BELIEVE HE’S GONE. >> TO GIVE HIS LIFE FOR TH

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88-year-old Kansas crossing guard dies after pushing children out of car's path

Bob Nill, a crossing guard in Kansas City, Kansas, helped elementary children make it safely to Christ the King Parish School every day. He left retirement so he could give back."He loved the children. The children loved him. They called him Mr. Bob," said Cathy Fithian, principal of Christ the King Parish School.Fithian said the 88-year-old served as a crossing guard for five years and had a special bond with the students."On Friday, when he went home, he had a lot of valentines from the kids, gifts and cards, and he just went on and on about the gifts. And his son knew that he loved it here and the kids loved him," Fithian said.Nill was hit by a driver just before 8 a.m. Tuesday. According to a release from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, witnesses reported the crossing guard was struck and killed while pushing children out of the way of an approaching vehicle."He stopped them and they listened, thank God. And then he, of course, was the victim," Fithian said.Nill died later from his injuries.Neighbors said he was cordial, active and friendly."He's one of the nicest guys I've ever met, especially in this neighborhood," one man said."To give his life for those children, how blessed are we that Bob was there?" Fithian said.Police said the driver of the car stayed at the scene. Officers are investigating whether distracted driving may have contributed to the accident.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —

Bob Nill, a crossing guard in Kansas City, Kansas, helped elementary children make it safely to Christ the King Parish School every day.

He left retirement so he could give back.

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"He loved the children. The children loved him. They called him Mr. Bob," said Cathy Fithian, principal of Christ the King Parish School.

Fithian said the 88-year-old served as a crossing guard for five years and had a special bond with the students.

"On Friday, when he went home, he had a lot of valentines from the kids, gifts and cards, and he just went on and on about the gifts. And his son knew that he loved it here and the kids loved him," Fithian said.

Nill was hit by a driver just before 8 a.m. Tuesday. According to a release from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, witnesses reported the crossing guard was struck and killed while pushing children out of the way of an approaching vehicle.

"He stopped them and they listened, thank God. And then he, of course, was the victim," Fithian said.

Nill died later from his injuries.

Neighbors said he was cordial, active and friendly.

"He's one of the nicest guys I've ever met, especially in this neighborhood," one man said.

"To give his life for those children, how blessed are we that Bob was there?" Fithian said.

Police said the driver of the car stayed at the scene. Officers are investigating whether distracted driving may have contributed to the accident.